Huayu Entertainment 1995 started with hijacking.

Chapter 313 Filming Anecdotes
As for the male lead, Li Xiaoyao, Cai Yinong originally wanted to find one of the F4 members to carry the show, but surprisingly, no one came to play the role.

Huang Xiaoming wants to act in serious dramas now and directly rejected the role. Chung Han-liang felt that Li Xiaoyao wasn't his style. Qiao Zhenyu, having already played Duan Yu, also felt that the boisterous and brash Li Xiaoyao didn't fit his own character. Wu Ke-qun, on the other hand, is completely immersed in music creation, preparing for his new album.

So in the end, Cai Yinong simply went directly to find new talent and signed Hu Ge, who was still a student at the Shanghai Dramatic Arts Institute.

Wu Yuchen sighed inwardly, remarking on the strangeness of fate. He hadn't interfered, yet the male and female leads of "Chinese Paladin" were still the same two. However, considering that this project was still a collaboration between Cai Yinong and Li Guoli, and given their discerning eye and aesthetic sense, it didn't seem so strange that they would make the same choices as in his previous life.

However, while Zhao Ling'er and Li Xiaoyao remained the same, the actors playing some of the other roles changed.

For example, the other female lead in the drama, Lin Yueru, was originally played by Taiwanese actress Ady An. However, now that Miracle Films is the production company of "Chinese Paladin," which has a much higher level of strength and status than Tangren Media in its previous life, many mainland actresses are also quite interested in this drama.

Ultimately, the role of Lin Yueru went to Chen Zihan. Well, her previous name was Chen Shasha, but she's changed it to a more poetic-sounding name. However, Wu Yuchen thinks Chen Zihan isn't as memorable as the original Chen Shasha.

She has had a pretty good career in recent years. She co-starred with Huang Xiaoming in "The Emperor of Han Dynasty" as Princess Pingyang, and played Yin Li in "The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber". This time, her role as Lin Yueru is more significant than her previous roles, as she is now the female lead.

Wu Yuchen thought about Chen Zihan's acting skills and felt that they were acceptable. Whether it was Yin Li in "Heavenly Sword and Dragon Sabre", Guo Fu in "The Return of the Condor Heroes", or Lü Zhi in "The Myth", she played them very well. It was just a pity that the roles she played did not resonate with the audience.

This time is different. Lin Yueru is a great opportunity for her. If she acts well enough, she will definitely gain a lot of fans.

Thinking of Chen Shasha, Wu Yuchen couldn't help but think of Yin Qiaoqiao, one of the three beauties in their dormitory. This girl became famous a few years ago for her role as the Peacock Princess in "Journey to the West II", and her career has been relatively smooth in the following years.

However, what Wu Yuchen really wanted to gossip about was whether she and Yu Dong were currently together.

About six months ago, around the time SARS ended, Yu Dong resigned to start his own business. He's an ambitious man and wanted to try his luck. Over the years, he'd built a large network of contacts at Miracle Films, which would greatly benefit his future ventures.

Wu Yuchen wasn't too concerned. After all, Miracle Films' publicity department had grown up over the past few years and wouldn't be unable to function without Yu Dong. They would continue to do their work as usual.

In this era when Chinese cinema is still developing rapidly, Wu Yuchen has already posed the question: Who will dominate Chinese cinema?

Wu Yuchen smiled, then asked Gao Yuanyuan beside him, "Yuanyuan, how was the filming of 'Kung Fu'?"

After the SARS outbreak ended in the latter half of last year, filming for "Kung Fu" began and wrapped up in three and a half months. Gao Yuanyuan played the role of the mute girl. As for Huang Shengyi, let her be. Her ultimate goal is to marry Yang Zi anyway, so let's not waste resources on her.

"When I first joined the crew, I wasn't used to it. Most of the crew members were from Hong Kong, which made communication very inconvenient. Stephen Chow's Mandarin was also terrible, so I would get impatient while we were talking."

"Huh? He yelled at you?" Wu Yuchen raised an eyebrow.

Gao Yuanyuan shook her head: "No, not at all! But Director Zhou is a very serious person when he works. I often saw him scolding people on set. He has a bit of a temper and eventually broke up with the Hong family team."

Wu Yuchen had heard about this, but he didn't know the details, so he asked Gao Yuanyuan, "What exactly happened between them?"

Gao Yuanyuan fed Wu Yuchen another cherry, saying, "At the beginning of the filming, it seemed that Stephen Chow and Sammo Hung didn't agree. Initially, Sammo Hung's team designed a set of actions, but Stephen Chow wasn't satisfied. Later, Sammo Hung designed two more sets, but he still didn't want to use them."

I heard from someone that Stephen Chow felt that Sammo Hung's choreography, known as "Hung-style martial arts," was too heavy-handed and didn't fit his film style, nor did it align with his concept of creating something new for every shot. This led to a conflict between the two.

"Did they really break up like that?" Wu Yuchen asked, gently chewing on a cherry.

Gao Yuanyuan shook her head:
"No, Sammo Hung didn't react at first. It's just that Stephen Chow has a bad temper and often stopped filming, saying there were problems with the action. Then the people in Sammo Hung's team were all dissatisfied and felt that he was deliberately making things difficult for them."

At that time, Sammo Hung immediately asked Stephen Chow for leave, saying that he had been bitten by 300 mosquitoes and couldn't continue working, so he needed to be hospitalized for treatment.

Wu Yuchen smiled upon hearing this. He understood immediately; Fatty Hong was using a disguised strike to coerce the director!
I've done so much and you're still not satisfied? I'm leading a group of brothers, where am I supposed to put my face? If I don't get my revenge, how will I maintain my authority in the future? Since you're not satisfied, I'll just stop doing it and see what you do then!
"and then?"

"Then Sammo Hung went to the hospital, and Stephen Chow was so angry that his face turned green. About five days later, Stephen Chow invited the Yuen Clan to come over, and then directly told the Sammo Hung Clan that they didn't need to come anymore."

Wu Yuchen chuckled and patted Gao Yuanyuan's thigh: "I reckon it's Hong Pangzi's turn to turn green this time!"

Gao Yuanyuan rolled her eyes slightly: "I was quite scared at the time! Sammo Hung was really angry, his hair was standing on end, and he brought a whole bunch of his stunt team. I was afraid they would start a fight with the crew!"

Wu Yuchen smiled and shook his head, then patted Gao Yuanyuan's chest: "You're overthinking it. He wouldn't dare to make a move, otherwise he would be cutting himself off from the entire industry."

Gao Yuanyuan hummed in agreement, then covered her mouth and chuckled: "Before he left, he pointed at Stephen Chow and yelled: 'He's the only human on the whole set, we're all dogs!'"

Wu Yuchen smiled and shook his head: "That Fatty Hong! Did he keep any of the moves he designed?"

Gao Yuanyuan nodded: "It should have been retained. The action scenes of the three masters fighting the Axe Gang and sparring with each other were all designed by him, and they were not reshot later."

Wu Yuchen thought about it and realized that the action scenes were actually not bad. He had seen the movie "Kung Fu Hustle" more than once in his previous life, and the choreography of the fight between the three masters was quite good, and Fatty Hung's professional skills were passable.

However, in this matter, for a martial arts choreographer to abandon his duties and threaten the director, regardless of what happened before, is definitely not in the right. The reason why Stephen Chow was heavily criticized in Hong Kong after this incident is because he has a very poor reputation, not because Hung Fat Man was in the right.

Wu Yuchen then shook his head. There was a reason why Stephen Chow was not popular. He asked, "Yuanyuan, did Director Feng make a cameo appearance?"

"Yes, I think Director Feng's is really good, it's especially hilarious!" Gao Yuanyuan couldn't help but laugh when she thought about it. Wu Yuchen also thought of Feng Xiaogang's crocodile gang leader and asked with a smile, "Didn't he make an appointment with Stephen Chow to help each other out?"

"Seems to be."

"Then I reckon Director Feng will be disappointed! Stephen Chow will probably renege on the agreement."

"Huh? It's just a cameo role, isn't it? It can't be that serious, can it?" Gao Yuanyuan asked in surprise.

Wu Yuchen smiled and shook his head: "He's impeccable at work, and he's incredibly talented and insightful when it comes to film. But when it comes to people, he's only willing to take advantage and not to give anything in return."

Take Feng Xiaogang and Stephen Chow's relationship as an example. They originally agreed to help each other, but when it came to "A World Without Thieves", Stephen Chow declined.

Feng Xiaogang didn't make a fuss about it at first. A few years later, he still went to support and promote Chow Sing-sing at the premiere of "CJ7". However, two years later, when "Aftershock" was released, he invited Chow Sing-sing to attend the premiere, but Chow Sing-sing refused again.

This time, Feng Xiaogang was so angry that he publicly announced that he was severing ties with Stephen Chow, saying in an interview: "No one is like Stephen Chow. I helped you twice, and you didn't even repay a favor!"

So, just maintain a working relationship with Stephen Chow; never think about becoming friends with him, or he'll really drive you crazy.

Gao Yuanyuan nodded in agreement, saying, "Stephen Chow is indeed very capable. In fact, during the filming of the movie, most of the actors' performances, such as the landlord's lecherous peeping at the bather, the landlady imitating Bruce Lee, the Axe Gang's dance, and many other scenes, were all taught to him by himself, step by step."

Wu Yuchen wasn't surprised. The movie "Kung Fu Hustle" perfectly showcased Stephen Chow's cinematic talent, which is truly admirable.

He then smiled and turned to Gao Yuanyuan, asking, "By the way, how's that movie you're filming going?"

"You mean 'Waiting Alone'? I didn't feel like I was making a movie at all. It was just like hanging out with a few friends, and it went smoothly."

Just a month or two before, Gao Yuanyuan accepted an invitation to play the role of Liu Rong in "Waiting Alone," who is the "dream lover" that the male lead has been pursuing.

The film "Waiting Alone" was also invested in by Miracle Films. It can be said to be a very down-to-earth urban romantic comedy. Moreover, its director, Fatty Wu, is an American. He understands the current love and life situation of Chinese youth better than a group of Chinese directors. Who would have thought?

Wu Yuchen put his arm around Gao Yuanyuan and said with a grin, "Our Yuanyuan is now everyone's 'dream girl'!"

After saying that, Wu Yuchen held a cherry between his lips and kissed Gao Yuanyuan's lips. The two of them then lingered around the cherry for a long time, and in the end, no one knew who ate it.

A moment later, their lips parted, and Wu Yuchen began to savor Gao Yuanyuan's taste...

I can't forget the feeling of holding you in my arms.
Warmer than the burning passion hidden in my heart

Forgot the biting north wind outside the window
Once again, tenderness and lingering affection overlap.

It was your red lips that captivated me.

It was your thoughtfulness that rekindled my passion.

It is your boundless tenderness that melts the ice and snow.

......"

Last year, Wu Yuchen didn't come home for the Spring Festival because of the Oscar public relations for "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas," and he only called home.

Therefore, he was willing to slow down the post-production of "Pirate King 2" to get back for this year's Spring Festival. Although the festive atmosphere of the Spring Festival is fading every year, the joy of family reunion and being with loved ones still brings a sense of fulfillment.

Wu Yuchen looked at the trio of Zhao Benshan, Fan Wei, and Gao Xiumin on the TV screen. The three of them could make everyone laugh as soon as they stepped on stage. Although their performance of "The Water Carrier" was not among the best of their works, it was still much better than the boring sketches of later generations.

Compared to twenty years later, today's audiences are truly fortunate; their comedy programs and sketches are far superior to those of later generations.

It's a pity, if he remembers correctly, this is also the last time the trio will perform in public. After this, the three will completely break up. No matter how strong the friendship is, it cannot withstand the erosion of unequal distribution of benefits over a long period of time!

However, during the Chinese New Year, Wu Yuchen also attended a low-key signing ceremony. Miracle Films and Warner Bros. International Cinemas signed an agreement to jointly build a number of first-class multiplex cinemas in China. Miracle Films will hold 51% of the shares and will address local policy and other related issues, while Warner Bros. will hold 49% and will provide comprehensive technical support for the design and construction of the cinemas, as well as assist in the management and operation of the cinemas after their completion.

Well, in 2004, China loosened its control over private capital in the cinema industry, allowing private capital to enter the cinema market. Wu Yuchen had been waiting for this day for several years!
Wu Yuchen had already made preparations for this. He had already become a minority shareholder in many of the high-quality cinemas he had targeted. Now that the market was open, he directly took control of these selected targets through transactions. They were all located in prime locations in first- and second-tier cities.

The reason why Miracle Pictures is going to cooperate with Warner Bros. is that Wu Yuchen wants to get Warner Bros. for free!

In their previous life, Warner Bros. thought that China's cinema industry would loosen its control over foreign investment, so they reached a cooperation agreement with Wanda, providing assistance in various aspects such as cinema design, technical support, and management and operation experience training. They contributed money and effort in order to enter the Chinese cinema market in one fell swoop.

When the cinemas were finally built, the authorities showed no intention of opening up to foreign investment. They even issued a document specifically addressing this issue, which left Warner Bros. completely dumbfounded. Ultimately, they had no choice but to sell all their shares to Wanda and withdraw from the Chinese market.

So, Wanda Cinemas, which later became number one, essentially benefited from the foundation laid by Warner Bros. How could Director Wu possibly miss out on such a good opportunity?
You little Wanda brother should just stay out of the way; it's definitely our Miracle Films big brother who should go first!

(End of this chapter)